How to prepare a kid in her first model

Model, model, model
Lol seems I eager too much to bring my girls into model field. After brought Alya into fashion show -read suddenly become model - and Jasmine in photo shoot sehari bersama Jasmine, here I wanna tell you about another story, not far from a model anyway. Alya was rolled into model contest with some small artist management in one of mall in west java city, Depok.

This is the first contest Alya have rolled and they have some themes for the contest. There were glamour, casual and photogenic. Since this is the first, I choose casual and photogenic theme. I was still blind about this contest, but they explained casual means like everyday casual. So according with that, we tried to find the suitable wardrobe for the contest. They were :

• two pieces of t-shirts 
• one piece of ballet skirt
• one piece of light cream beautiful  boot 
• one set of accessories; pearl bracelet, necklace, ear rings
• one pair of ribbon hairbands
• last but not least, make up.

In image would be like:

Cute isn't it? we taught her how to run in catwalk, smile and other attitude and by her act daily at home and having experience in Fashion Show, we believe that she can beat another contestants.

So this is it. We came to the mall about 2 hours before time.  We could see some contestants already had a seat and all of them made up them self. There I could see by the look of them, they already have many experience in modelling and by they talk with the management leader, I think they already know each other. Well, this is would be hard.

Hour after hour we saw model by model run on the catwalk. Constantly her grandma reminded her how to walk, pose, or smile. Repeated by her cousin, her sister and (with sympathy} I should remind her too. I think she got bored, plus, it was lunch and nap time. So when her time to run, crankily she didn't want to pose. More than that, when I tried to persuade her, she cried more. Lol. Both panic and pity to see her. A little feeling guilty from pressing her actually.

Finally I used my last weapon to make her stand alone. I will buy her ice cream and chocolate and so will go to the zoo if she dare to . Lol. what can I say? she is a cheerful and brave kid in fact and yesterday she needed support when she felt down and one of ways are those treats. Lol.

Here they are ;

 

Next was photogenic session. There without any pressure, finally she could manage herself and pose as said to make judges impress by her look and smile. I was proud of her and I am so appreciate what she did. And what she got is more than enough when judge awarded her and many kids with trophy as the talented finalists. 

Even though I know they awarded her as a consolation prize. But as a mother, I know she was so happy with that trophy, and so I am. And that moment was the right time to whisper to her that if she wants to have the bigger or the biggest trophy, next she would be brave and no more cry. She was agree. Lol, that time.Hopefully in the future she become bolder, so she will gain more achievements and proud of herself. 

Then what could I learn from this experience? It's about how to prepare a kid in the contest

• Make sure about time and location where event will be held.
• Make sure you teach her/him how to pose or smile.
• Prepare dress/costume at least a week before time based on theme. If you can, make it look unique and different with other contestants so judges will easily remember about her/him.
• Always prepare a spare shirt/dress.
• Make sure to feed them before going. 
• Bring her/his toys or drawing book in case they get bored in waiting.
• Arrive at least an hour before the event starts.
• If it's their first experience - like Alya -, you better not remind them too much.. You might want everything run well but they are already nervous, your reminding like "later you should do this that" only will make them in more pressure.
• If they are crying for whatever it is, ( example : need to take a nap, hungry, nervous or pressure, make sure you will not press against them. Don't make them guilty by saying "if you love me, please do it for me". While holding them, you might could say "you do great today by staying here. But I know you could do more if you could show them how brave you are".
• If words are not working, cooed them with promise. Don't take it far, just like will buy them chocolate or ice cream they mostly love.
• Always appreciate what they do. they've been through a period of being uncomfortable and ventured to show his prowess in front of you, so a plant of kiss, hugs, hold their hands before get on stage, or thumbs up while they are in acts, will gain more confidence. And that's what you trying to teach, right?
• Heartened yourself if your child does not win. Reassurance them anyway if they do not win this time and get a trophy because after all they have done their best. Make sure that the next time they will be able to get a trophy if they are brave and cry no more.
• In Alya case, the management who held this event has been providing small trophies as a reward for children who have dared to race (you can provide a private small trophy as a gift too, although they not win. So I said to her that "next time you can have that bigger trophy if you can be bolder and no more crying" then we got high five. That will make her feel challenged. Hopefully it will work.